Short Summary

Cypriot President Archbishop Makarios arrived in Damascus on Thursday (19 June) for an official four-day visit to Syria.

Description

Cypriot President Archbishop Makarios arrived in Damascus on Thursday (19 June) for an official four-day visit to Syria.

His visit is part of a 10-day tour of Arab countries aimed at rallying support against Turkey's invasion and occupation of the island. He has already visited Egypt, where President Sadat promised Continued support for the independence of Cyprus with the Archbishop as its leader.

The Arab visit follows an earlier tour this year of the Gulf States. President Makarios is working towards an integrated Cyprus and an early end to the island's problems.

The Cypriot leader is also discussing Middle East problems with other Arab leaders. At a press conference in Cairo on Wednesday (18 June) the President said he believed there should be a total withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the Arab territories occupied during the 1967 war. He said he fully supported the Arab cause and the Palestinian people.

President Makarios was greeted at the airport in Damascus by Syrian President Hafiz a-Assad and senior Ministers and officials.